New car sales rose for the 42nd consecutive month in August, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

In what is traditionally one of the year's quietest months for car sales, due to the new September plate launch, registrations increased 9.6 per cent on an annual basis to 79,060, taking year-to-date growth so far to 6.7 per cent.

Gains were made across all sectors and fuel types. The SMMT said registrations in the private, business and fleet markets were up 7.2 per cent, 11.8 per cent and 12.1 per cent respectively.

Bumper growth: The SMMT figures show sales of Porsche are up 40% so far this year

The market for alternatively-fuelled vehicles, meanwhile, grew 52.3 per cent year-on-year, maintaining a steady 2.4 per cent share of the overall market.

So far in 2015, there has been 1.6million registrations in what could be a record year for new car sales.

'Britain's budget-conscious buyers are taking advantage of low regular monthly payments that provide certainty and affordability.‎ With September's new 65-plate now in full swing, we expect UK showrooms to be as busy as ever.'

Howard Archer, chief UK and European economist at IHS Global Insight, said the growth is impressive given the gains are now coming from a 'very high base.'

'The economic fundamentals still look largely healthy for the motor industry which will hopefully allow car sales to remain at an elevated level over the coming months.

'Car sales will also likely to continue to be buoyed by attractive offers and finance packages as well as by appealing, fuel-efficient new models.'

The figures reveal that Mitsubishi and Porsche have had a very strong year for sales. New Mitsubishi sales are up 102 per cent, from 7,635 to 15,414, while Porsche saw sales rise 40 per cent, from 5,461 to 7,649.

Best seller: The Ford Fiesta has topped the sales chart for a number of years

But this still pales in comparison with the biggest sellers of the year so far. The Ford Fiesta is well ahead, with 85,247 sales in 2015, followed by Vauxhall Corsa with 57,165 sales and Ford Focus with 54,795.

All-in-all, it means Ford has a 13.6 per cent market share.

Elsewhere, the data shows sales of diesel and petrol cars continue to be roughly half-and-half. In August, just 150 more diesel motors than petrol were sold.

But so far this year, petrol is slightly ahead, with 798,285 sales compared to 791,989 diesel.